Personal Bowling Equipment

ABSTRACT

The personal bowling equipment is an apparatus that allows a child/user to have a personal sports equipment for bowling. The apparatus includes a rectangular flexible mat or a fabric that has two handles or grips at one of the shorter sides of the mat. Accordingly, a ball placed on the mat will spin and roll away from a user, when the user pulls the handles on the mat, in an upward direction. Preferably, the mat or fabric is washable. Further, the length of the grips and the length of the mat or fabric may be personalized and adjusted according to the size of the user. This personalization or length adjustment will enable the user to attain a preferred proficiency in bowling the ball with the personalized bowling equipment. Thus, the bowling equipment aims to provide the experience of bowling for users, especially younger children in the form of a simple equipment.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/925,106 filed on Oct. 23, 2019.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a bowling equipment. More specifically, the present invention relates to a flexible mat with handles for rolling a bowling ball.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rolling a bowling ball along a bowling alley can be difficult for kids, especially younger children. Practicing bowling always requires going to a bowling alley which in turn requires buying an entry ticket or pass to the bowling facility. Thus, it would be helpful if a child had an equipment that would allow the child to experience bowling, as well as use the equipment as a game device without having to go to the bowling facility.

An objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that allows a child or any user to have a personal sports equipment for bowling. The present invention comprises a rectangular mat or fabric that has two handles or grips at one of the shorter sides of the mat. According to the present invention, a ball placed on the mat will spin and roll away from a user, when the user pulls the handles on the mat, in an upward direction. Additionally, the mat or fabric is washable. Further, the length of the grips and the length of the mat or fabric may be personalized and adjusted according to the size of the user. This personalization or length adjustment will enable the user to attain a preferred proficiency in bowling the ball with the present invention. Thus, the present invention aims to provide the experience of bowling for users, especially younger children with the help of a simple equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top front right perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top front left perspective view of the present invention in operation with a ball.

FIG. 3 is a left perspective view of the present invention with the ball.

FIG. 4 is a top left perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the alternate embodiment in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top front right perspective view of the present invention, wherein the mat is placed on the ground flat.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a right perspective view of the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

In reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 8, the present invention is a bowling equipment. An objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that allows a child to have a personal sports equipment for bowling. The present invention comprises a rectangular mat or fabric that has two handles or grips at one of the shorter sides of the mat. According to the present invention, a ball placed on the mat will spin and roll away from a user, when the user pulls the handles on the mat, in an upward direction. Additionally, the mat or fabric is washable. Further, the length of the grips and the length of the mat may be personalized and adjusted according to the size of the user. This personalization or length adjustment will enable the user to attain a preferred proficiency in bowling the ball with the present invention. Thus, the present invention aims to provide the experience of bowling for users, especially younger children with the help of a simple equipment.

The following description is in reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 8. In reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 8, the present invention is a bowling equipment. According to a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a flexible mat 1. As seen in FIG. 1 through FIG. 8, the flexible mat 1 is rectangular in shape and comprises a flexible material. Preferably, the flexible mat 1 comprises materials such as, but not limited to, different types of fabrics, plastics, silicon, rubber, foam etc. that can slid when pulled, can lay flat on the ground for placing the ball over it, and have a slight friction or grip on the top and bottom surfaces such that the ball doesn't roll off as soon as it is placed on the flexible base. Examples of such materials comprise yoga mats, bath towels etc. Further, the bowling equipment is washable and may comprise any designs or patterns printed over the top and/or bottom surfaces. However, the flexible mat 1 may comprise any other shape, size, material, components and arrangement of components as long as the intents of the present invention are not altered. According to the preferred embodiment, the flexible mat 1 comprises a proximal end 2, a distal end 3, and a plurality of lateral edges 4. Preferably, the proximal end 2 is positioned opposite to the distal end 3 across the flexible mat 1, such that, during operation, the proximal end 2 is closer to the user and the distal end 3 is away from the user. Further, the plurality of lateral edges 4 is connected between the proximal end 2 and the distal end 3. In other words, the plurality of lateral edges 4 is normally offset from the proximal end 2 and the distal end 3, such that the plurality of lateral edges 4 constitute the longer sides of the rectangular flexible mat 1 and the proximal end 2 and the distal end 3 constitute the shorter sides of the rectangular flexible mat 1.

As seen in FIG. 1 through FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 through FIG. 8, the present invention comprises at least one handle 5. Preferably, the at least one handle 5 is mounted adjacent the proximal end 2. Preferably, the at least one handle 5 comprises two elements that are located equidistantly at the proximal end 2 of the flexible mat 1 such that the user may hold the at least one handle 5 with the user's two hands and pull the flexible mat 1 in order to roll the ball away from the user. The at least one handle 5 may comprise any material, length, and size, that are comfortable to hold in the hands and that will not hinder the intended purpose of the present invention. Such materials comprise, but are not limited to, fabrics, plastics, yarn, silicone, rubber, etc. Further, the present invention comprises at least one fastener 6, wherein the at least one fastener 6 is integrated between the at least one handle 5 and the flexible mat 1. In other words, the at least one fastener 6 fastens the at least one handle 5 to the flexible mat 1. Accordingly, the at least one fastener 6 may be of any shape, size, material, features, type or kind, orientation, location, quantity, components, and arrangements of components that would allow the present invention to fulfill the objectives and intents of the present invention. Such fasteners can comprise, but are not limited to rivets, snaps, clips, interlocking components, and any other mechanical, magnetic or other forms of fastening mechanisms that are known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

In an alternate embodiment, the present invention comprises a plurality of gripping apertures 7, wherein the plurality of gripping apertures 7 traverse through the flexible mat 1. In such an embodiment, the plurality of gripping apertures 7 is positioned adjacent the proximal end 2. In other words, holes are cut through the flexible mat 1 near the proximal end 2, such that the user can put their hands through the holes and grab the end portion of the flexible mat 1 and maneuver the flexible mat 1. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the plurality of gripping apertures 7 is elliptical in shape. In other words, two elliptical holes are formed proximate to the user on the flexible mat 1, as gripping elements 7. However, the plurality of gripping apertures 7 may comprise any other size, shape and orientation, as long as the intents of the present invention are not altered.

Continuing with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flexible mat 1 comprises a first surface 8 and a second surface 9, wherein the first surface 8 is positioned opposite to the second surface 9 across a thickness 1 a of the flexible mat 1. In other words, the first surface 8 constitutes the top surface of the flexible mat that faces the user, and the second surface 9 constitutes the bottom surface of the flexible mat 1 that is in contact with the ground. In reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the at least one handle 5 is mounted onto the first surface 8 of the flexible mat 1. As seen in FIG. 1 through FIG. 3, the at least one handle 5 is mounted onto the second surface 9 of the flexible mat 1.

Accordingly, the at least one handle 5 may be mounted on to any surface over the flexible mat 1, as long as the objectives of the present invention are not hindered. Further, the at least one handle 5 is removably attached onto the flexible mat 1, such that the at least one handle 5 may be affixed in any lateral position adjacent the proximal end 2, according to the comfort of the user.

In order to accomplish the smooth functioning of the present invention, the flexible mat 1 may comprise a textured liner 10, as seen in FIG. 6. Preferably, the textured liner 10 is superimposed onto the first surface 8 of the flexible mat 1. This is so that, the textured liner 10 provides enough friction and grip for the bowling ball over the surface of the flexible mat 1 and provides the user a better control in maneuvering the bowling ball.

According to a preferred method of operation of the bowling equipment, a bowling ball is placed closer to the proximal end 2 of the flexible mat 1. As seen in FIG. 2, the upward pull on the at least one handle will make a ball 11 roll along the length of the flexible mat 1 along an intended direction, away from the user. The length of the flexible mat 1 and the positioning of the handles or the gripping apertures, may be personalized and adjusted to the preference and comfort of the user/child. Preferably, a first length 12 of the plurality of lateral edges 4 is longer than a second length 13 of the proximal end 2 and the distal end 3. According to the preferred method of operation, an ideal pull followed by bowling of the ball 11 will be possible if the length 12 of the flexible mat 1 is ⅔^(rd) the length of the user or child using the bowling equipment. This personalization or length adjustment will enable the user to attain a preferred proficiency in bowling the ball 11 with the personalized bowling equipment. However, the lateral edges 4, the proximal end 2 and the distal end 3 may comprise any other length ratio, as long as the intents of the present invention are not altered. As seen in FIG. 3, the bowling ball 11 rolls along the length of the flexible mat 1 in a direction opposite to the handles 5 or the proximal end 2.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bowling apparatus comprising: a flexible mat; at least one handle; at least one fastener; the flexible mat comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of lateral edges; the proximal end being positioned opposite to the distal end across the flexible mat; the plurality of lateral edges being connected between the proximal end and the distal end; the plurality of lateral edges being normally offset from the proximal end and the distal end; the at least one handle being mounted adjacent the proximal end; and the at least one fastener being integrated between the at least one handle and the flexible mat.
 2. The bowling apparatus of claim 1 comprising: a plurality of gripping apertures; the plurality of gripping apertures traversing through the flexible mat; and the plurality of gripping apertures being positioned adjacent the proximal end.
 3. The bowling apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of gripping apertures is elliptical in shape.
 4. The bowling apparatus of claim 1 comprising: a first surface; a second surface; the first surface being positioned opposite to the second surface across a thickness of the flexible mat.
 5. The bowling apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one handle is mounted onto the first surface of the flexible mat.
 6. The bowling apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one handle is mounted onto the second surface of the flexible mat.
 7. The bowling apparatus of claim 4, comprising: a textured liner; and the textured liner being superimposed onto the first surface of the flexible mat.
 8. The bowling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one handle is removably attached onto the flexible mat.
 9. The bowling apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first length of the lateral edges is longer than a second length of the first end and the second end.
 10. A bowling apparatus comprising: a flexible mat; at least one handle; at least one fastener; the flexible mat comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a plurality of lateral edges, a first surface, and a second surface; the proximal end being positioned opposite to the distal end across the flexible mat; the plurality of lateral edges being connected between the proximal end and the distal end; the plurality of lateral edges being normally offset from the proximal end and the distal end; the first surface being positioned opposite to the second surface across a thickness of the flexible mat; the at least one handle being mounted adjacent the proximal end; and the at least one fastener being integrated between the at least one handle and the flexible mat.
 11. The bowling apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one handle is mounted onto the first surface of the flexible mat.
 12. The bowling apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one handle is mounted onto the second surface of the flexible mat.
 13. The bowling apparatus of claim 10, comprising: a textured liner; and the textured liner being superimposed onto the first surface of the flexible mat.
 14. The bowling apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one handle is removably attached onto the flexible mat.
 15. The bowling apparatus of claim 10, wherein a first length of the lateral edges is longer than a second length of the first end and the second end.
 16. The bowling apparatus of claim 10 comprising: a plurality of gripping apertures; the plurality of gripping apertures traversing through the flexible mat; and the plurality of gripping apertures being positioned adjacent the proximal end.
 17. The bowling apparatus of claim 16, wherein each of the plurality of gripping apertures is elliptical in shape. 